Lynis(8)

NAME
Lynis - Run an system and security audit on the system

SYNOPSIS
lynis --check-all(-c) [other options]

DESCRIPTION
Lynis is an auditing tool for Unix (specialists). It checks the system and software configuration and logs all the found information into a log file for debugging purposes, and in a report file suitable to create fancy looking auditing reports. Lynis can be run as a cronjob, or from the command line. It needs to have full access to the system, so running it as root (or with sudo rights) is required.

The following system areas may be checked:

    - Boot loader files

    - Configuration files

    - Common files by software packages

    - Directories and files related to logging and auditing

OPTIONS

--auditor <full name>
    Define the name of the auditor/pen-tester. When a full name is used, add double quotes, like "Your Name".

--checkall (or -c)
    Lynis performs a full check of the system, printing out the results of each test to stdout. Additional information will be saved into a log file (default is /var/log/lynis.log).

    In case the outcome of a scan needs to be automated, use the report file.

--check-update (or --info)
    Show program, database and update information.

--cronjob
    Perform automatic scan with cron safe options (no colors, no questions, no breaks).

--debug
    Display debug information to screen for troubleshooting purposes.

--dump-options
    Show all available parameters.

--logfile </path/to/logfile>
    Defines location and name of log file, instead of default /var/log/lynis.log.

--no-colors
    Do not use colors for messages, warnings and sections.

--no-log
    Redirect all logging information to /dev/null, prevent sensitive information to be written to disk.

--pentest
    Run a non-privileged scan, usually for penetration testing. Some of the tests will be skipped if they require root permissions.

--plugin-dir </path/to/plugins>
    Define location where plugins can be found.

--profile </path/to/profile>
    Provide alternative profile to perform the scan.

--quick (-Q)
    Do a quick scan (don't wait for user input).

--quiet (-q)
    Try to run as silent as possible, showing only warnings. This option activates --quick as well.

--report-file </path/to/report>
    Provide an alternative name for report file.

--reverse-colors
    Optimize screen output for light backgrounds.

--tests TEST-IDs
    Only run the specific test(s). When using multiple tests, add quotes around the line.

--tests-category <category>
    Only perform tests from particular tests. Use --view-categories to determine valid options.

--upload
    Upload data to Lynis Enterprise server.

--view-categories
    Display all available test categories.

    Multiple parameters are allowed, though some parameters can only be used together with others. When running Lynis without any parameters, help will be shown and the program will exit.

BUGS
Discovered a bug? Please report them via e-mail (lynis-dev@cisofy.com) or via GitHub: https://github.com/CISOfy/Lynis

LICENSING
Lynis is licensed with the GPL v3 license and under development by CISOfy and Michael Boelen. Plugins have their own license.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Support and project related questions are addressed via https://cisofy.com/support/.